So I Called Crutchfield Today About Speakers...
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fyremanpat
New member
I have Kicker 3.5s in the dash(slight modification needed), Kicker 6x9s in the front doors, and kicker 6.5s everywhere else. No fitment issues.... I too was an infinity fan for many years. I feel like theyve lost it over the years though.
Were you asking about replacing all speakers or just the dash speakers?
They will generally only tell you about speakers that will fit without modifications. If it was the dash speakers, they were probably correct. But many speakers will fit with modifications (custom brackets, adjustment of vent tubing)
If it was for the doors, then I am not sure why they would say that. You can enter your vehicle info in the webpage and it will give you the list of speakers that will fit. They will even include the adapters.
The issue with the Infinity speakers is that the tweeters sit above the speaker line and the mid bass driver surrounds sit higher. The plastic trim on the door panel interferes with the drivers and may have to be removed.
Just know that with adapters, you can fit 6x9 or 6.75 speakers in the front doors. With a custom adapter you could fit 6x8, 5x7, and 5.25 as well. THe back doors will handle 6.75 with adapters and 5.25 with custom adapters. and the rear hatch will take 6.75 and 5.25 with adapters. As with the front door, you may have to trim the plastic trim ring to fit the speakers in.
rigtec
New member
Hi 77Bronc,
Don't be confused because with Crutchfield it's 'ALWAYS' about marketing and massive mark-ups! Pretty much every reputable 'name-brand' speaker manufacturer makes a speaker that'll fit our 4Runners! When I was using JL Audio (10-W6v2) subs and shopping around for competitive costs, Crutchfield was charging just as much as the manufacturer's 'list pricing catalog would allow them to get away with; which at that time I think was $550.00 each when amazon was selling them for $350 and ebay was getting $320.00!
So their mark-ups have always been off the charts! One thing that I do like about Crutchfield is their 'audio systems "Knowledge-base" resource center... whatever you need to know, Crutchfield will have a library full of info on that subject, even their parts catalogs are complete, accurate and up to date. So I'll source them for some info on a subject that I'm studying, gather the information that I need and always buy my equipment somewhere else...'tis just good business practice! So use the search field at the top of this screen, there are plenty of audio system enthusiasts on these forums who are using just about every speaker brand that you could name, in the dash, the doors and tailgate, you've just gotta be resourceful and shop around... or Crutchfield will have you believing that they are the only audio supplier who sells a full line of audio products for your 4runner!
Cheers!
Thanks good feedback...yes I am looking for speakers all the way around and I would like to stay with the same brand if at all possible.
Making adapters is not an issue, as I like that kind of work. Even before reading JayBees and yalls threads and comments I even envisioned using the original speaker mounting plastic brackets, installing plywood inserts and mounting speakers to that. I had to do that before with a Bronco I had years back.
I did not know that Infinity quality has declined. I had Kappas in that Bronco with a Sony head unit and an Alpine amp and that was the best sounding system I had ever put together. I made custom enclosures for the rear cargo area designed to the Q of the speakers and they sounded as good as my Klipsh KG4s in my house. Or at least I thought that...
I don't mind spending money for quality, I have four Infinity Reference 6x8's that came out of my F150 that I would like to put to use, not sure if they would work in this vehicle. I read a lot about JL Audio and these look good too
I too like Crutchfield for the info data base. Instructions for getting door panels off, as much as I don't mind digging in and working on stuff, taking my new 4Runner doors apart bothers me, as I don't like rattles, I know this sounds crazy, so I depend on the excellent instructions from them. As soon as I settle on a brand and size, I will more than likely order from them.
So bottom line, this is what I have concluded by the threads and yalls feedback:
Fitting dash speakers can be an issue, so choose wisely
6x9s in the front door
6.5s in the rear door
6.5s in the tailgate
Mounting height and depth is also a constraint
Some panel plastic trimming will be required
Look for speakers that have minimal or no tweeter protrusion.
Thanks for the input
77
Making adapters is not an issue, as I like that kind of work. Even before reading JayBees and yalls threads and comments I even envisioned using the original speaker mounting plastic brackets, installing plywood inserts and mounting speakers to that. I had to do that before with a Bronco I had years back.
I did not know that Infinity quality has declined. I had Kappas in that Bronco with a Sony head unit and an Alpine amp and that was the best sounding system I had ever put together. I made custom enclosures for the rear cargo area designed to the Q of the speakers and they sounded as good as my Klipsh KG4s in my house. Or at least I thought that...
I don't mind spending money for quality, I have four Infinity Reference 6x8's that came out of my F150 that I would like to put to use, not sure if they would work in this vehicle. I read a lot about JL Audio and these look good too
I too like Crutchfield for the info data base. Instructions for getting door panels off, as much as I don't mind digging in and working on stuff, taking my new 4Runner doors apart bothers me, as I don't like rattles, I know this sounds crazy, so I depend on the excellent instructions from them. As soon as I settle on a brand and size, I will more than likely order from them.
So bottom line, this is what I have concluded by the threads and yalls feedback:
Fitting dash speakers can be an issue, so choose wisely
6x9s in the front door
6.5s in the rear door
6.5s in the tailgate
Mounting height and depth is also a constraint
Some panel plastic trimming will be required
Look for speakers that have minimal or no tweeter protrusion.
Thanks for the input
77
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While what Rigtec said is true, they do sell at MSRP, there are things to take into consideration. They are an authorized dealer for everything they sell. If you are getting it on Amazon and it is considerably less, it is most likely not an authorized dealer and therefore no warranty. Same with Ebay.
Also, Crutchfield provides lifetime technical support for everything they sell.
In addition they always have sales on things and great deals in the outlet center with open box and scratch and dent. They also include installation parts for things they sell, and most are free. {wiring harnesses, speaker adapters, dash plate adapters. These can run $30 to $40 extra elsewhere)
I bought 2 sets of JBL speakers for an install I did in a Rav4 and with the speaker adapters and wiring adapters, they were $30 cheaper per pair than the best price I could find on Amazon.
So it pays to shop around and decide if the cost difference is worth not having a warranty. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. I picked up an Alpine amp for several hundred less on Amazon so it was worth it to not have the warranty.
As far as the Infinity line, I wouldn't waste my money on the Reference series, but the Kappa's are still really good speakers. I recently did an install in a Frontier with Kappa components in the front and coxials in the rear. I think they sounded as good or better than my Boston Pros from 15 years ago which were almost 3 times the price.
Also, Crutchfield provides lifetime technical support for everything they sell.
In addition they always have sales on things and great deals in the outlet center with open box and scratch and dent. They also include installation parts for things they sell, and most are free. {wiring harnesses, speaker adapters, dash plate adapters. These can run $30 to $40 extra elsewhere)
I bought 2 sets of JBL speakers for an install I did in a Rav4 and with the speaker adapters and wiring adapters, they were $30 cheaper per pair than the best price I could find on Amazon.
So it pays to shop around and decide if the cost difference is worth not having a warranty. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. I picked up an Alpine amp for several hundred less on Amazon so it was worth it to not have the warranty.
As far as the Infinity line, I wouldn't waste my money on the Reference series, but the Kappa's are still really good speakers. I recently did an install in a Frontier with Kappa components in the front and coxials in the rear. I think they sounded as good or better than my Boston Pros from 15 years ago which were almost 3 times the price.
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Advice well taken...The Reference speakers I have now are going on 14 years old, I purchased them new in 2002, stayed in the box until 2006, went into my 2005 F150 and they sounded great in that truck...so I must have had the last of the good lower line Infinity speakers.
Thanks,
77
IMun2VnM
New member
speakers
Have you looked at the FOCAL's? I am a huge FOCAL fan, and they make 4runner specific replacements now. Focal sound dedicated to Toyota® - Focal
Have you looked at the FOCAL's? I am a huge FOCAL fan, and they make 4runner specific replacements now. Focal sound dedicated to Toyota® - Focal
Auntie Soshul
New member
You have the sizes correct. If you're keeping the stock head unit, one of the more important factors is to get speakers with high sensitivity. I have Infinity 3.5 in the dash and Infinity 6x9 in the front door and they sound great. I have 6.5 Polk in the rear and tailgate doors, and they sound good, too. All the speakers have a sensitivity rating over 90dB.
Also check the impedance of your replacement speakers. If I recall correctly, the rear speakers are 4 ohms and are wired in series, for a total of 8 ohms. The front (door and dash) speakers are wired in parallel and are 4 ohms each, for a total of 4 ohms.
Be sure to use bass blockers on your dash speakers. I don't believe any dash speakers will be plug and play, but the modifications needed are minor, no matter the brand.
Finally, like Nordstrum, Crutchfield focuses on customer service rather than price. If you're unclear about how to install a component, or unclear as to whether it fits or how it works, call Crutchfield. If you know all the info, and are looking for lowest price, call Crazy Eddie or China Harry.
flyinhawaiian01
New member
Been here, done this exact thing with Amazon on my Pioneer Avic 8100 head unit. Bought new on Amazon, broke a month later (no gps at all), Pioneer would not warranty because the "seller" on Amazon was listed as unauthorized to sell. Of course, Amazon itself is also listed as unauthorized to sell Pioneer equipment.
Luckily, it was just under Amazon's replacement guarantee and I was refunded.
What seems like a fantastic deal can turn around and bit you in the arse pretty quick! While I only spent 850 bucks on the first one, I could have lost that much instantly if it broke a week or two later. Spent the extra few hundred bucks at Crutchfield and am confident that if it breaks or dies on me, I'm covered.
Now, if you still wanna try using amazon (nothing wrong with it) I would, at the very least, purchase their SquareTrade warranty on whatever electronics you buy, especially if its over 3 or 4 hundred bucks. And yes, SquareTrade works very well! Replaced a piece of junk HP color laserjet printer after owning it a little over a year. Decided it was going to print everything in different colors and put lines through everything, after 4 new toner carts, it was worse than ever. Returned for repair, a week later I had a check for the full amount of the printer!
DeepSea
New member
Have you replaced your speakers with these? If so, how much was it all and how do they compare?
IMun2VnM
New member
Unfortunately, funds havent been available for me to do it yet. I have,however had all levels of Focal's in previous vehicles(Polyglass,poly kevlar k2's, and Utopia's)all outstanding,although some claim they are a little "bright" for sound. I am into "SQ" style car audio,never been an "SPL" guy. But i digress...heres a link to this topic on the forum: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/194892-focal-690toy-front-speakers-designed-toyota.html Hope I was able to help a little. BTW, Your Runner and Taco look awesome. I want the Method NV's for both my Runner and '13 DCSB Taco as well.
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gshadow325
New member
12V guy here, so be prepared to get some factual information vs opinions LOL
5th gen:
Front speakers OEM 6x9
replacements can be
-7" kenwoods
-6x9's
-oversized 6.75
-6.5"
-jl zr 8"
rears oem 6.5"
replacements also can be
-6.5
-6.75
-7"
other factors come into play, OEM radio? we will need something to do summing. audio control lc6i is the basics, audison bit one is a awesome solution.
subs can be most anything, i'm glassing a 10w3 into the side of my baby lexus ctr200h.
crutchfield sells at MAP and adhers to it. so its not a inflated retail. whenyou can get the product thru NON authorized channels, you lose out on the warranty. they also give you the installation parts too sometimes.
their customer service is really good too, no headaches on returns.
Focals:
New ES165KR2 is super awesome speakers! throw 100 watts per channel at them with a audison bit one and you have a great front stage!
dont forget the sound deadening, our runners dont have anything in the doors on both the inner and outer skin.
hopefully my rant clears up some mis-information out there.
5th gen:
Front speakers OEM 6x9
replacements can be
-7" kenwoods
-6x9's
-oversized 6.75
-6.5"
-jl zr 8"
rears oem 6.5"
replacements also can be
-6.5
-6.75
-7"
other factors come into play, OEM radio? we will need something to do summing. audio control lc6i is the basics, audison bit one is a awesome solution.
subs can be most anything, i'm glassing a 10w3 into the side of my baby lexus ctr200h.
crutchfield sells at MAP and adhers to it. so its not a inflated retail. whenyou can get the product thru NON authorized channels, you lose out on the warranty. they also give you the installation parts too sometimes.
their customer service is really good too, no headaches on returns.
Focals:
New ES165KR2 is super awesome speakers! throw 100 watts per channel at them with a audison bit one and you have a great front stage!
dont forget the sound deadening, our runners dont have anything in the doors on both the inner and outer skin.
hopefully my rant clears up some mis-information out there.
Storm Runner
Member
This is good to know. I have some Polk Audio MM6501 components I plan on putting in the front doors and some MM651 2-ways for the rear doors. Crutchfield was telling me the 651's wouldn't fit in my rear doors, because they were 6.75" speakers.
How much of a difference is sound deadening going to make? I had A H3 with a system and didn't worry about it, because everything was stout, but this new 4R is so thin and flimsy everywhere, it's got me wondering if it's needed now.
gshadow325
New member
think about sound proofing like this.
ambient noise floor from road noise will increase with speed.
noise floor is lets say a 1 when stationary, and a 10 @ 25mph and 20 @ 55mph etc. speakers will have to first over come the noise floor then be able to produce the sound you want. sound deadnening with reduce the noise floor and make the speakers more efficient.
I hope that makes sense. its the reason why we need to turn the radio up when we drive faster, and lower it when the car is at a stand still.
anythign will fit, speaker brackets will need to be made thats all.
instaling 6.5" focal es165kr3 in a 2016 vette z06R in the rear that says it only fits a 5.25
MayorBloom
New member
I just have to chime in on this, as an audio/non-audio guy.
I went to my local sound shop and had my front dash speakers replaced with the Kicker 3.5's, there was a mild improvement in the factory sound.
Seeing how simple it was to swap out speakers, I went to crutchfield and purchased the rest of my speakers, all kicker DS series but the front doors I went with KS 2-ways. The great thing about cruthcfield is they supplied at no additional cost the mounting bracket and adapters.
My 2 cents, holy hell. Just running the factory head unit and no amp, this thing sounds great. My only regret is that I used 5.5's in the rear doors and rear hatch. Could have easily used 6.5's.
I cannot believe the difference, price wise, sure I could have save 20 bucks by going ebay, but how do I know the product is as stated and what if I ordered wrong (Purchased a $60 (with free shipping) decided to go another route. went to return said 8", now they want a 15% restocking fee and to recoupe their shipping cost plus ship back on my dime- Net funds returned $31).
I love the kicker upgrade, the free stuff made the install easy breezy. Also, I am a kicker fan.
If you are having trouble finding what you want, search for a different modle year but same gen. I put in 2016 TEP, minimal results, but changed it to 2014 and my options increased....
Mike
I went to my local sound shop and had my front dash speakers replaced with the Kicker 3.5's, there was a mild improvement in the factory sound.
Seeing how simple it was to swap out speakers, I went to crutchfield and purchased the rest of my speakers, all kicker DS series but the front doors I went with KS 2-ways. The great thing about cruthcfield is they supplied at no additional cost the mounting bracket and adapters.
My 2 cents, holy hell. Just running the factory head unit and no amp, this thing sounds great. My only regret is that I used 5.5's in the rear doors and rear hatch. Could have easily used 6.5's.
I cannot believe the difference, price wise, sure I could have save 20 bucks by going ebay, but how do I know the product is as stated and what if I ordered wrong (Purchased a $60 (with free shipping) decided to go another route. went to return said 8", now they want a 15% restocking fee and to recoupe their shipping cost plus ship back on my dime- Net funds returned $31).
I love the kicker upgrade, the free stuff made the install easy breezy. Also, I am a kicker fan.
If you are having trouble finding what you want, search for a different modle year but same gen. I put in 2016 TEP, minimal results, but changed it to 2014 and my options increased....
Mike
Focal "car specific" front replacement
On Crutchfield's website they sell a replacement set for the front dash tweeters and the front door speakers. I did this upgrade on my 2016 SR5 and it was 100% plug and play. By far the easiest mod i have ever done. The sound is a phenomenal upgrade as well. Could probably use some extra/better power coming from the stock unit though. The reason i went with this option is because the Focal tweeters come with a similar built in crossover that the OEM ones had. Also this system was designed specifically for Toyotas with this set up.
Focal IS 690TOY 6"x9" component speaker system designed to fit select Toyotas at Crutchfield.com
On Crutchfield's website they sell a replacement set for the front dash tweeters and the front door speakers. I did this upgrade on my 2016 SR5 and it was 100% plug and play. By far the easiest mod i have ever done. The sound is a phenomenal upgrade as well. Could probably use some extra/better power coming from the stock unit though. The reason i went with this option is because the Focal tweeters come with a similar built in crossover that the OEM ones had. Also this system was designed specifically for Toyotas with this set up.
Focal IS 690TOY 6"x9" component speaker system designed to fit select Toyotas at Crutchfield.com
gshadow325
New member
Guys please read my post on club lexus on my install in my CT200.
It is essentially the same recipe on 4th and 5th gen 4runners and practically every modern toyota vehicle. I did a real similar setup in a 2013 scion xb with kfcx183c, kfcxp184c, sound deadening from stinger called road kill and a alpine ktp-455u power pack amp. I'm telling you guys from daily experience this is the setup to go with. you'll like the increased bass, mid and tweets. you'll get more power without really needing to run a big amp. real good setup.
So you want to install a new double din radio? Well LOOK no further. - Club Lexus Forums
It is essentially the same recipe on 4th and 5th gen 4runners and practically every modern toyota vehicle. I did a real similar setup in a 2013 scion xb with kfcx183c, kfcxp184c, sound deadening from stinger called road kill and a alpine ktp-455u power pack amp. I'm telling you guys from daily experience this is the setup to go with. you'll like the increased bass, mid and tweets. you'll get more power without really needing to run a big amp. real good setup.
So you want to install a new double din radio? Well LOOK no further. - Club Lexus Forums
I will tell everyone on this thread, you are crazy to buy speakers based [edit]SOLELY[/edit] on someone else's recommendation. Every person hears differently and speakers that sound good to one person may sound terrible to another.
I know that Focal are really good speakers. But I [edit]personally don't care for[/edit] the sound of them. The tweeters are way to bright and harsh for my taste. Other people think they sound fantastic. Same with any brand.
If at all possible, you really need to audition any speaker in person [edit]before purchasing[/edit]. You will be much more pleased with your sound system if you do this.
I know that Focal are really good speakers. But I [edit]personally don't care for[/edit] the sound of them. The tweeters are way to bright and harsh for my taste. Other people think they sound fantastic. Same with any brand.
If at all possible, you really need to audition any speaker in person [edit]before purchasing[/edit]. You will be much more pleased with your sound system if you do this.
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gshadow325
New member
We must be doing something wrong at our store then. 5 million bucks in labor per year, 150k in focal, 50k in krx2 alone, 300k in Kenwood, then audison, hertz, jl audio, etc etc. All sold based off of our recommendations or past experience. Only on forums do I hear focals suck. Have you ever installed a focal es165 kr3 into a 400k ferrari California t and then the next day install it in a 30k hybrid camry? We have, they sound amazing in both cars.
Why?
Tigger just said they suck. Well let me tell you why.
It starts off with the recording format. The very first time it was shown to me I was amazed. Then it comes down to how we think things should be e equalized. Then it comes down to experience in car audio, we not taking about stereo no more. Anyone can put a speaker in, it takes a trained ear to tune a car. Even with a simple 11 band eq.
The tinny harsh tweeter you heard from the focal is from many things. Choice of amplification or the lack of. Source of the music, compressed music like a mp3 is what it is. Compressed music. This is why flac files are getting more popular in car audio. Bluetooth streaming in amazon prime music a digital copy of Jennifer warns, bird on a wire. Then you have a good source for music.
The most common way to introduce distortion is from how you set your gains on the amp and equalization on the radio. You want the radio to be able to produce the music clearly thru out the whole volume range. Many factory radios start to distort at 1/2 - 3/4 volume. Then certain frequencies start to clip. 2015+ Mustangs clip at a strange one 200htz and 10k.proper tuning with a Audison bit ten in that car fixed it.
That being said, it all starts at the head unit. Music is only good as it's weakest link. Although with a good ear and tuning, you can make sh1tty speakers sound good and the opposite cam happen too. Like in tiggers case, good speakers sound bad.
I do agree speakers should be auditioned to a point but ultimately will sound different in your car but there are tools to fix that. That's where the magic and wizardry comes in, some call that experience lol.
All this coming from a crazy guy living and breathing car audio day in and day out. I know nothing, yet I can't wait till get into work to see what's in my day today. I did get to be in the 458 replacement, a 488, and listen to the finished California T with 2 alpine type R 12s that pounds your head off yesterday with the new focal es165kr3. Take my advice with a grain of salt like everything else you read on the Internet. I'm just scratching the surface on my background in car audio.
Why?
Tigger just said they suck. Well let me tell you why.
It starts off with the recording format. The very first time it was shown to me I was amazed. Then it comes down to how we think things should be e equalized. Then it comes down to experience in car audio, we not taking about stereo no more. Anyone can put a speaker in, it takes a trained ear to tune a car. Even with a simple 11 band eq.
The tinny harsh tweeter you heard from the focal is from many things. Choice of amplification or the lack of. Source of the music, compressed music like a mp3 is what it is. Compressed music. This is why flac files are getting more popular in car audio. Bluetooth streaming in amazon prime music a digital copy of Jennifer warns, bird on a wire. Then you have a good source for music.
The most common way to introduce distortion is from how you set your gains on the amp and equalization on the radio. You want the radio to be able to produce the music clearly thru out the whole volume range. Many factory radios start to distort at 1/2 - 3/4 volume. Then certain frequencies start to clip. 2015+ Mustangs clip at a strange one 200htz and 10k.proper tuning with a Audison bit ten in that car fixed it.
That being said, it all starts at the head unit. Music is only good as it's weakest link. Although with a good ear and tuning, you can make sh1tty speakers sound good and the opposite cam happen too. Like in tiggers case, good speakers sound bad.
I do agree speakers should be auditioned to a point but ultimately will sound different in your car but there are tools to fix that. That's where the magic and wizardry comes in, some call that experience lol.
All this coming from a crazy guy living and breathing car audio day in and day out. I know nothing, yet I can't wait till get into work to see what's in my day today. I did get to be in the 458 replacement, a 488, and listen to the finished California T with 2 alpine type R 12s that pounds your head off yesterday with the new focal es165kr3. Take my advice with a grain of salt like everything else you read on the Internet. I'm just scratching the surface on my background in car audio.
